The music was set to military marches and off the kids went...marching around and around our house. Each found a 'drum' and the music didn't end for some time.
Owen joined in and had fun too...he smiled most of this marching until I pulled out the camera. *notice his flip flops? He found them in the basket and yes, he is obsessed with shoes much to large for his feet. :)
What fun creative kids! And for the record...I did put a stop to the metal pots and pans march...whew...much MUCH to loud.
But I did have one second thought that-it couldn't be that loud-right?...I am sure I used a large pan and spoon to march when I was little. Mom-how did you listen to that?
Katie did such a joyful job patiently helping Owen while he was sick with Strep. I know somedays she was by herself for a bit, but she didn't complain and so she got a treat too! Around here we do baths when sickness comes with a mixture of salts (sea, epson, baking soda and borax) to try and drawl down a fever and toxins out of the body. Honestly they are good anytime of the year, but when you're not feeling well they can be a welcomed treat.
Here Katie is having her foot bath to help her relax and be pampered. She grabbed her entire basket of books and sat reading for about 20 minutes. I have to say I was a bit jealous of her super soft feet afterwards!
And Owen as he recovered didn't want to miss out on the fun. He had had a bath earlier to sit and plan in, but the foot bath was to tempting to miss. I think he only lasted about 5 minutes. :)
But he did have the opportunity (while I was putting something away) to grab the paints out of the closet and 'paint' on the table. Seriously, even with strep and a fever this kid is fast!
Luckily that was all he painted-his face and table...both of which wash!
Then on Friday, Ms. Beth and the boys came and took Katie for the afternoon to the Science Museum. She was on cloud 9. The kids were supposed to spend the night with the McKenzies while we were at the B & B, but we are rescheduling because of our little guy. THANK YOU so much for taking Katie. She was thrilled! She also said that she got an icy treat BEFORE dinner with you guys and that it was the best treat ever. Thanks our friends, for loving on our big girl!
Owen, even though it was a hard 4 days we are thankful for our Dr., thankful that it was only strep and thankful that God has healed you.
I recently read this post on a friends blog-Amy at Putting Down Roots-who lives in northern Maine and who I went to college with at Kansas State-ummmm...about 10 years ago! She has a bunch of information on her blog about healthy living, farming and family stuff. Feel free to scoot over there if you want. But as I was reading a recent post it caused me once again to consider what I am feeding my family.
Cheese...love it...and even with Katie being dairy intolerant we have still strived to find a good cheese that she can tolerate. (We are thankful for places like Trader Joes and Whole Foods to carry goat and sheep cheese-with smaller proteins for easier digestion- and to carry varieties that are yummy!) But nonetheless we eat less cheese then we used to since working through this issue. And that's not bad! I have been more creative, tried new things and found that we can live with less dairy then I thought.
One thing that we still have and I haven't changed much is our beloved pizza. And to have pizza one MUST have delicious cheese SMOTHERED ALL OVER THE TOP. I searched for different choices for the kids (some were horrible) and finally settled on a goat mozzarella. It really isn't bad and the kids don't mind at all! But since it is bought in a block I have gone back to shredding my own cheese. I keep a bag of it frozen in the freezer and pull it out when needed. Sometimes it does clump, but I get out the hammer and simple break it apart. :)
Yesterday we had pizza and we had some pre shredded in the freezer that I added to the top for Justin and I's section. I then pulled the pizza out of the oven and what Amy wrote about on her blog was so true. The cheese I shredded looked and tasted much creamier, more like normal melted cheese should look. It was well worth my time of shredding! The pre shredded stuff, though tasty, didn't compare. And now I know why...here is what Amy had to write...
Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose (yes, wood shavings) as an anti-caking agent. Cellulose is in lots of processed foods, especially low-fat and no-fat foods, as it increases the fiber (I guess it appears to be healthier?) and reduces the need for fats (again appearing healthier). Cellulose gives foods with little fat a more creamy texture somehow, which is what consumers of those product want, something that tastes as close as possible to the higher fat food they really crave.
I’m sure I have lots of cellulose in my body because I used to eat lots of these so-called low fat foods! Humans can’t digest cellulose because our bodies don’t have the correct enzymes to do it.
Anyway take a peek at her blog and read her interesting post about shredding your own cheese. Then leave a comment telling her I sent you so she keep posting interesting facts like this one! Thanks Amy!
Hey all,
I read this blog-Kitchen Stewardship-and found her recent post helpful for ideas in making food delicious, wholesome and hopefully fast during this back-to-school time of year! Read here for eight different articles that could be worth your time in the kitchen.
A few of the topics-best containers and picky kids, affordable school lunch tips, quick and easy snack tips...
The Standard-any day we don't have anything else and at least on Monday! --Fried Eggs and Toast.
Two eggs for Justin and I and one for the kids with a piece of toast. Sometimes I have left over grilled potatoes and veggies which I reheat and add to the plate. Sometimes I have some (nitrate free) bacon or sausage from Trader Joes that I add. Yummmmmmm! And as always we add some good ketchup-without refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup...TJ's carries a good version.
Baked Oatmeal is made on Tuesdays and then left overs are reheated or eaten cold on Thursday. Check out the recipe in the blog archives. I've posted about this one before. Delicious.
Sometimes I make "English breakfasts" on Wednesdays. Egg in toast, topped with a slice of tomato, avocado, salt and pepper. (who knows if they really are English...I once had them in England where they always served a tomato on top...). And I always flip them over since we don't like really runny eggs. The kids definitely love this version.
Cereal every Friday. Cheerios or Rice Krispies!
Pancakes or Waffles on the weekend-with real maple syrup and butter...yummmmm
And finally a treat! Biscuits and gravy. I love this easy peasy recipe from Allrecipes. I do normally use soft wheat and not all purpose (and almond milk for the kids), but keep everything else the same. Justin Loves it! We have this once in a blue moon.
I've also tried to incorporate Madame Blueberries (baked french toast-recipe in the blog archives), Raspberry breakfast bars, breakfast wraps, eggs in a pita and cinnamon rolls when I am making bread-I love all these things too.
As I look over my list it seems as if I have a lot of ideas, but I am still looking for something else special to add to the breakfast routine. After all we think breakfast is SUPER important in getting our bodies started off right. Most studies show that with breakfast people perform better in all areas-physically, emotionally....so why wouldn't you?
You are fueling your body-break the fast!
*Food for thought--Eat Good Fats in the morning, they are used all. day. long. Don't skimp on good fat and protein. Most cereal is NOT helpful and should not be eaten daily...it just won't work. If I pay close attention to K and O...they are hungry for a snack SO much earlier on Fridays.
I also read one study lately that shows if one eats breakfast then they eat less lunch=because your body already has started working earlier and not playing 'keep up' at lunchtime.
Anywho....share any recipes you love, please!
Over and out blog buddies
Katie came out from her room like this-its an outfit I got for Owen for $.25. She was sure she was Spiderman. It took a lot to convince her she was a Spiderwoman.
Jesse the cowgirl had to be with her at all times since she is also a 'super person'.
Did I mention her pink with green belt accompanied the outfit perfectly?
Oh and she was trying to throw out her web, but she never quite understood how to do it. :)
"This is a song I really didn't like, but now I am getting into it."
:) No idea where this song came from...it is on our Disney Pandora station. And we even skip it most of the time. We had quite a giggle of her comment, though we will keep skipping the song after listening to words...
We think these shows are super fun. I know you can watch some of them on Netflix or rent a few from Redbox. Most of you probably already know of them, but in case you haven't, they are catchy and cute. :) Happy watching!
This weekend was supposed to be spent at a Bed and Breakfast. It was all planned out. We booked the room, found wonderful friends to take care of our kids and Justin took the day off. But that wasn't the way the Lord had our weekend planned. Owen got sick. Strep. It has been a very difficult week leading up to today. We tried everything we could to help him get over the hurdle or being sick with a fever and aches...but we couldn't shake it.
So we went to Dr. Haynes today. (side note-we LOVE this pediatrician -wholly recommend her if you are needing one). We knew Owen probably had strep since his breath was horrible yesterday. Then this morning he tried to eat his cereal and couldn't, His throat was swollen and instead choked on his Cheerios. So we went in at 8:20 and after the exam, without even a test, Dr. Haynes said FOR SURE he had step. And gave us a prescription.
Our plan to get away for the weekend will have to wait. God has the plan for us of taking care of our kiddos instead. Which is a privileged and a blessing. It is hard, yes. And I won't lie, I have had some tears just letting go of my plans. But through it all God has brought me peace. Sometimes this is what motherhood/fatherhood is all about. It is about serving, loving and helping our kids learn how to live in this world...in sickness or health-it's all about Him. And I am thankful that He has not left me where I was/am, but instead continues to refine me. I look back and see a better mommy/wife because of what He has brought into our lives.
This song came out of lips yesterday as I was putting Katie down for the night. (who thankfully has slept well and so far and Lord willing, will not get anything). I haven't sung it for a while, though we did a lot in college. It has become my prayer for the past few hours. Thankful that I can trust in a God that has NEVER let me down. Who has been faithful to bring about His goodness in my life and refined me to be more patient/loving/understanding/gracefilled... and I desperately longs for Him to rule my life in all things. Thankfully, He is writing the story of my life-who knows ALL things-and that allows me to trust Him daily.
Oh and we were able to give our booked room to some friends who I am sure will enjoy time away!
Thankful for Ms. Beth who came and took Katie to the Science museum with her boys today and brought us dinner too.
And wouldn't trade others that have faithful listened to us work through this season in our life. Grateful.
